The Devil's Face • ND 0467-B

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Before and After of The Devil
Creepy Characters by NeedleDeeva

Ever wonder how I stitch a face? I found my work-in-progress photos of The Devil (ND 0467-B) from the Creepy Characters series, and thought I would share them with you. Now, what is that saying?... the Devil is in the details? LOL. Enjoy the show.

I think he is quite the handsome guy. NeedleDeeva did an awesome job designing this cutie for the Creepy Characters series. Contact your LNS if you'd like to stitch him. You can see the participating retailers on the NeedleDeeva website. The Devil canvas (ND 0467-B) comes with my stitch guide, too. 

Until the next time... Thanks, Robin

Decorating Ideas for Halloween

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

As Halloween time approaches, the stores are now filled with wonderful trinkets and decorations to augment and display our needlepoint.

Consider the Halloween trees. Great for hanging all of your wonderful ornaments. Check with your Florist Shops (those who decorate all-out for the seasons) as well as online (Palma alerted me to this one from Pier 1 Imports) and your local craft stores, discount and Hallmark stores. I now have 7 Halloween Trees and am always looking for more.

I made my first Halloween Tree. Took a great-looking branch when doing tree trimming, and put it into a Halloween painted bucket which had been filled with sand and gravel. My ornaments looked right at home.

The Feather wreaths are available, too. I googled black feather wreath and came up with many options from Party City, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Target, Etsy.com, etc. Here's 2 photos of the Creepy Characters on my black feather wreath.

Speaking of Feather Wreaths, be sure to read Michele's blog, Needlepoint Tips and Techniques. She weighed the options of DIY versus Purchase Ready Made for her new Feather Wreath. Smart lady.

Need special trinkets? Look at your local craft store or scrapbooking store. Here is what I found at a recent trip to Michael's. Yes, now is the time to add to your stash. Don't forget the Fabric shops. The Halloween Fabrics are great for table skirts or mantle scarves.

I am honing my enabling skills... learned from the best... Jane/Chilly Hollow. Go see what you can find. 'Tis the howling season. (Thanks, Michele for the great word!) And, if you come across something fabulous, be sure to let me know.

This is Lana's first Halloween. She's very interested. Until the next time.... Robin

The Pumpkin and the IDenti-Pen

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

The Pumpkin (ND 0467-A) has been sent out and I am going to share some behind the scene photos I took while I stitched him.

When working on the background, I noticed the Orange Dots were not placed exactly where I needed for the stitch I chose. Fear Not! I got out my trusty IDenti-Pen and marked out the Orange Dots in question.

Here are some before and after photos.

You can get the Sakura IDenti-Pen from your Local Needlepoint Shop. I used the one which had the Dual Points (Fine and Extra Fine)... just perfect for your every needs. The IDenti-Pen is both a Permanent Marker and Waterproof. This is very important for your needlepoint. (Be careful with other markers: not all Permanent Pens are also Waterproof.)

Hope this helps.

Thanks, Robin

Hooty Owl in Needlepoint Now magazine

Hi Everybody.... Robin here.

Subscribers to Needlepoint Now magazine should be getting their copy September/October 2011 issue pretty soon. And, when you do... check out  the back cover. It's Hooty Owl from the Creepy Characters series. Then, look on page 12. There is an article about NeedleDeeva and me, as well as the complete stitch guide for Hooty. 4 pages! How exciting.

Judee/NeedleDeeva initially designed Hooty Owl (ND 0467-i) for the magazine subscribers, and for all Owl lovers, too. I really enjoyed stitching him. Some of the interesting threads I used were Fuzzy Stuff and Petite Very Velvet for a fluffy-soft Owl look.

There are beading, ribbons and Slide Bullion techniques. Needlepoint Now will be posting their technique video of the Slide Bullion, but here's the diagram from my stitch guide. I used Kreinik braid and frayed the end in order to grab one of the threads. Then I took the remaining braid bundle and slid down the pole... creating the Slide Bullion for Hooty's Feet. This is a fun technique and I used it on other Creepy Characters, too. Have you used it yet? I would love to hear from you.

Contact your Local Needlepoint Shop to order Hooty Owl or any of the Creepy Characters. Each can be purchased individually or the complete series. (On page 16 of the magazine, you can see the Participating Retailers, as well as on the Creepy Characters page of the NeedleDeeva website, too.) Well, back to printing out the 175 Devil (ND 0467-B) Stitch Guides. He's next to be sent out.

Enjoy, Robin.

Photo Session with Lana, Leo and the Creeps

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Has everyone survived the hurricane? Irene was a doozy. Glad she's gone. So sorry for all of the damage and lost lives. I did enjoy spending my moments with Jim Cantore on the Weather Channel. He's dreamy. And, did you know he is Vicky De Angelis' cousin? How cool is that?

While I am waiting to hear if TNNA is going to select me for teaching at Phoenix 2012, I have been tending to other deadlines. I am designing an ad for NeedleDeeva/Creepy Characters for the November/December Needlepoint Now magazine.

I had two helpers during the photo shoot: Lana and Leo. This was their first "official" photo shoot.

Lana was very busy checking out all of the props.

Lana loved the Feather Wreath.

Leo chilled. He knows how to work the camera.

Initially I set up my tall Halloween Tree for the Creeps backdrop but changed my mind to a different tree. Yes... I have 4 trees (!) plus a black feather wreath so it was easy to change things out. In fact, I ended up using my Martha Stewart Halloween Tree. Looks good. You'll see the ad in the magazine. Later, I might be able to preview it here and on the Creepy Characters Facebook page, too.

Here's a picture of the tree with all of the Creeps. Many of you will be participating in the full series... others of you will select your Creeps to do. Either way, it's a fun time.

I'll be back soon with the TNNA teaching update... fingers crossed. Thanks, Robin

Baltimore Market: Saturday... part 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here... in Baltimore.

On Saturday the Market began. Yes, there were the Early Bird sales on Friday evening from Participating Designers, but the main hustle and bustle began on Saturday morning.

The Embassy Suites was an interesting location for this Cash & Carry Market. I liked the atrium feel of the place.

The Designers were mainly on floors 5, 6, and 7. Many banners were hung to announce their location.

Also, the windows were decorated with lights and signage.

Here's the little Halloween Tree with all of the Creeps. They got peoples' attention, for sure. The kittens, Leo & Lana, picked out the right tree.

Team Deeva wrote more orders for the Creeps. As a Cash & Carry Market, shop owners were able to come in and purchase canvases for their shop to begin stitching their own Creeps. It was fun to put names with faces of the shop owners. It was a good day. I'll be back soon with more about Saturday (part 2) as well as my teaching experience at Bedecked & Beadazzled. Thanks, Robin

Creepy Characters helpers

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I have helpers. Good kitten helpers.

Lana and Leo are assessing the small Halloween Tree selected to travel to Baltimore for display in the NeedleDeeva room at TNNA/Fall Market. I also found my ORANGE mini-lights and my PURPLE mini-lights for decorating the display window. Plus, I am bringing my favorite Black Feather Wreath to also display the Creeps. I'll be posting photos once things are decorated.

The Ghost and the Skeleton arrived from the finishers yesterday. Once again, the workmanship from Elizabeth Turner Collection in Lexington, KY is awesome. All of my Creepy Characters are with me and ready to travel. Here is a quick photo of them. Both are stitched with the Neon Rays Plus NP300 Glow in the Dark. I'll be teaching the Skeleton at Ruth Schmuff's shop, Bedecked & Beadazzled, on Sunday. Looking forward to that experience, for sure.

My suitcase is packed. Carry-on bag is manageable. NOW, it's time to figure out what stitching to bring for airplane traveling. I will go through my other works in progress to see what is small enough for the trip. (Sure do with I had another Creepy Character to work on; they are just the right size.)

Here's one last photo. Pat took the pix of Leo and surprised me with it. He said, "Here's one you didn't know about." So true. I think it's one of my favorites. That's all for now. Next time it will be from Baltimore. Thanks, Robin

Creepy Characters stitch guide manual

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I'm on the less than one week count down to Baltimore... 4 days, to be exact. I've got my teaching manual all ready to go and though I would share what I've been doing.

Needlepoint Study Hall readers might remember in the past I made individual manuals for each teaching piece.

This time I went LARGE. I've got a 2" wide 3-ring binder to house all of the 9 Creepy Characters stitch guides plus the 10th Character (Skeleton ND 0467-J) available through Ruth Schmuff/Bedecked & Beadazzled.

Then I purchased the Avery Ready Index Table of Contents Dividers 11135, 10-Tab Set, to separate each stitch guide. It worked out just fine because there were 10 pieces total. I used different fonts for each Creepy Character... setting a mood, if you will. I am most happy when I can do an art project.

And, I put the pages in sheet protectors. I love sheet protectors, don't you?

Well, back to my list of things to do; it's a long one, as you can imagine. I'm printing The Pumpkin (ND 0467-A) stitch guides because they are shipping to NeedleDeeva right after Baltimore. Be sure to tell your LNS you want to stitch the Creeps. Stitch one or stitch them all. You'll have fun. I know I did. Thanks, Robin

Elliot Stitch

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I have the printer revving at high RPMs; printing the Creepy Characters stitch guides. I am bringing them with me to Baltimore for the TNNA Fall Market Cash & Carry. The Shop Owners are anxious to get the Creeps in their hands for their customers.

As I was reviewing each stitch guide, I came across the Elliot Stitch. Needlepoint Study Hall readers encouraged me to name a stitch after Elliot; this is the one I chose. It is on the light purple background for the Spider Queen (ND 0467-D). It is a nice stitch to use when there are dots with 2 canvas intersections between them.

Elliot Stitch - step 1

Elliot Stitch - step 2

Elliot Stitch - step 3

I'll be posting some of the "behind the scenes" stitching photos of each Creepy Character... beginning with The Pumpkin. And, did you know the Creepy Characters have their own Facebook page? Here's the link... Like them, won't you?  Creepy Characters 2011 by NeedleDeeva

The Creepy Characters are being offered as a monthly series but they can also be purchased individually. Once you stitch one... you just can't stop. I know I had the best time.

Speaking of The Pumpkin (ND 0467-A), NeedleDeeva will begin shipping August 15 the first wave of Creepy Characters to the Participating Retailers. Time to reload the printer and check on the ink levels. I'll be back soon.

Thanks, Robin

Leo and the Skeleton (ND 0467-J)

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Wanted to share this photo of Leo. He is one of our new kittens; brother to Lana.

Leo is our Photographer's Apprentice in Training. He's doing a good job, don't you think?

Leo is keeping the newest Creepy Character from NeedleDeeva (Skeleton ND 0467-J) under wraps until the BIG reveal at Ruth Schmuff's shop, Bedecked and Beadazzled, in a few weeks. She's taking mail order class participants, too. (Kitten not included.)

Thanks, Robin

Straightening Neon Rays

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Hope you had a good weekend. Here's tonight topic: how do you straighten your Neon Rays? Do you use it right off the card, not addressing the kinks? Over the years, I have tried many different ways to straighten it. I've used those "grippers and pullers" and I've even used "spit." (Yes... I have.) Other times, I would just use it straight off the card... kinks be damned.

About a year or two ago, I remember Peggy mentioning that someone at the Shop or Class mentioned that they used a flat iron to straighten the Neon Rays. My ears perked up. I've got a flat iron... I was tired of the kinks. Since I am using some beautiful colors of Neon Rays for the Creepy Creatures, I wanted to try! (Remember, I am the See One, Do One, Teach One gal.)

I plugged in my flat iron and turned the setting to a medium heat. I pulled the Neon Rays through the closed flat iron paddles, and BAM!... Silky Smooth and Straight. I shared this technique with my Saturday class students when Michelle brought in her daughter's flat iron. Everyone was impressed.

The main thing to say is that once straightened, the Neon Rays behaves much better. Less twisting. Usually, I straighten about 4-5 lengths and any unused pieces go into that Neon Ray's Floss Away bag.

I made a little video clip for you to show you how easy it is to do. Love the music, too. Be sure to first test the heat of your iron. Don't burn your fingers! Have a good week. I'll be in touch, soon. Thanks, Robin

Party of 4 to Dallas

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Taxes are done, filed, organized, put away. Finito! All that's left is the paying. Yikes.

It seems like the brief burst of house keeping is now segueing into my needlepoint work area. Otherwise, I might be a candidate for "The Most Messiest House" TV show. As you know, I am working on the Creepy Characters from NeedleDeeva... a new upcoming Halloween series/club for 2011-2012. There are 9 of them and each time I begin a new character, I search through previous threads which might be used again. Now that I am finished with Frankenstein, it's time to tidy up before I begin the next character.

Creepy Creatures from NeedleDeeva
Available 09/01/2011

I sent The Pumpkin, The Devil, Frankenstein and Fraidy Cat to join NeedleDeeva & Vicky De Angelis in Dallas for the Destination Dallas Market in April. They were excited for the road trip. None were too scared about being boxed up... because 3 out of 4 of them have "Glow in the Dark" Teeth. You should really try the DMC Floss E940. It's good stuff.

Speaking of good stuff... be sure to look at today's Plays with Needles blog. It is really cute and creative.

OK... back to my organized mess.  Then, it's on to the Spider Queen. Thanks, Robin

Needlepoint Inc. Silk meets Frankenstein

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I'm working on Frankenstein (NeedleDeeva 0467-C) this evening. Stitching his face. Using Needlepoint Inc. Silk 651 and 402. They are absolutely wonderful threads. Here's their color chart so you can see the colors: Needlepoint Inc Silk color chart.

Just perfect for Frankenstein's face.  Have a good week. Thanks, Robin

Social Media and Needlepoint

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Tonight was an interesting evening. I attended the March tweetup of the Memphis chapter of the Social Media Club. It was Pat's idea that we go... to see what's the latest in Social Media and how it might be able to improve our businesses.

You remember Pat... my guy... is owner of Business Visuals, a photography company since 1982. Things have changed since his film days. He's gone digital and is a photoshop whiz. He has a website www.businessvisuals.net and he has a blog, Business Visuals Updates, too. He joined Facebook and also has the Business Visuals • Memphis Photographer Facebook page. Please Like Us and Follow Us, if you will.

We went into the meeting, eager to learn. And, learn we did. The meeting was the brainchild of Howell Marketing; a smart savvy group of women in Memphis, lead by Amy Howell.  Here's what we learned:  tomorrow we will begin creating his Twitter account. There appears to be a harmonious mix of social media when you Blog, Facebook, Twitter and website all at the same time. Talk about spinning plates!

What's my reference of "Spinning Plates?" The scene is from the Ed Sullivan Show. The entertainer comes on stage with long bamboo poles and a stack of white dinner plates. The music is peppy... the man gets the 1st, the 2nd, the 3rd, the 4th plate spinning on top of the bamboo poles. Just when he starts to work the 5th plate, the audience gasps because the spin of the 1st and 2nd and 3rd plates are slowing down... ready to crash. So the man runs back to them, spins them up... all is right... until the next group of plates starts to slow down. Back and forth he runs. Now that was entertainment! Often I feel like I am spinning plates. How about you?

Comes with a Stitch Guide by Robin King

I've been stitching on the NeedleDeeva new Halloween Club which will be revealed this summer. There will be 8 monthly club pieces plus a 9th bonus canvas to be featured on the back cover in the Sept/Oct issue of Needlepoint Now. Each of these canvases will come with a Robin King stitch guide. And you know how much I love Halloween! This has been a treat, indeed. Your Local Needlepoint Shops will be able to help you sign up for this Club opportunity. (I know that Amy's will be offering it, too.)

So, I'm use my new Social Media knowledge to get the first words out about these new Creepy Characters by NeedleDeeva. You can also follow me on Facebook (Robin King) and on Twitter (@catmom6). There is also a Needlepoint Group in Facebook, too. Who would have thought? It was Jane/Chilly Hollow who started the group. We've got stitchers, designers, artists and shop owners there. Come join us.

Here's Scaredy Cat & Spidey from NeedleDeeva's new club. It is #0467-H. Looks like I won't be teaching at the Summer TNNA Market in Columbus this June. Sad to hear, but you can see all the designs on the NeedleDeeva website and at her booth in June. Glad to share the news. Thanks, Robin

Do It... then Write It Down

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I have learned to not trust my memory when it comes to needlepoint. Currently I am stitching the models for the upcoming NeedleDeeva Halloween Club which will be released in June 2011. There will be 8 canvases in the monthly club, and I am writing the Stitch Guides for the group. How exciting is that!

There are many things to remember and notate when writing a Stitch Guide: the name of the stitch, the threads used for the stitch (name, manufacturer, number, size), the number of strands used, the stitching order and any other helpful hints. Others might have a different routine; this is what works best for me.

So once I stitch an area, I write down all of the information in a notebook. With tape, scissors, pencil and eraser near by, I write down the info and snip/tape a sample of the thread into the notebook. Kind of like a quick scrapbook.

For this Halloween Club, I am keeping all of the Stitch Guides notes in my WHITELINES SQUARED notebook. Remember me telling you about the Whitelines notebook? Here's that previous link. I love the Whitelines printed on the Light Gray paper. It's really Cool.

I now have 2 of the Club pieces finished: Scaredy Cat and Spidey (ND 0467-H) and Pumpkin (ND 0467-A). I just put Devil (ND 0467-B) and Frankenstein (ND 0467-C) on their respective stretcher bars. After that will be Spider (ND 0467-D), Witch (ND 0467-E), Ghost (ND 0467-F), and Dracula (ND 0467-G) All pieces are a Triangular shape... just perfect Halloween ornament size. I will be carrying threads within the series as a consideration to my fellow stitchers.

Well, that's all for now. I'll be showing some preview sneak peeks soon; I LOVE the DMC Glow in the Dark Floss. This Halloween kid is Happy.  Thanks, Robin